9 Must-Try Street Food in George Town

What to have in George Town?

3 weeks ago

5 minutes read

July and August are shaping up to be two months packed with events for Penang. First off, Penang will be celebrating its annual World Heritage Day on July 7th, marking the state’s designation as a World Heritage Site. The following week on July 14th marks the governor of Penang’s birthday. Couple this with the annual St. Anne’s Feast from 20-29 July, and you’re looking at a month jam-packed with events. Oh, and did we mention that the annual, month-long George Town Festival will be taking place from the 4th of August till September 2nd? Yes, Penang has much to offer this July and August. In conjunction with these events, we thought it would be fitting to curate a list of 9 must-try street food in George Town for both travelers and locals alike.

Top 9 Must-Try Street Food in George Town

If you’re visiting Penang in the month of July or August, this list will keep you in the know of the best food spots around Penang. Read on to find out some of our top picks of street food in George Town.

1. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

The Cendol at Penang road is arguably one of Penang’s most talked about street food in Penang. This famed Cendol stall operates from a pushcart at Penang Road and is known to attract large crowds who queue up for the popular Malaysian dessert. In case you’re wondering, Cendol is an iced-sweet dessert containing green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar. The texture is relatively thick and has a satisfying sweet taste to it, making it the perfect dessert on a hot day. If Penang is on your travel plans this coming month, then you owe it to yourself to give this famed Cendol a try.

2. Star Coffee @ Noordin Road

Forget Starbucks, it’s all about enjoying a hot cup of coffee by the roadside like a true local here in Penang. The pushcart at Lebuh Noordin is one of George Town’s hidden gems which we recently uncovered. The nameless stall serves a quality cup of coffee which is both rich and thick at a fraction of the price from what you will get at a famous cafe. The stall earns its name and is often referred to as “Star Coffee” due to their unique star-shaped coffee art. Everything is done traditionally, no fancy machines, but just one very skilled barista. Give this stall a try.

3. Char Koay Teow @ Siam road

Penang undoubtedly has the best Char Koay Teow in Penang. In fact, it’s so famous that you usually spot hawker stalls in Kuala Lumpur under the signage “Penang Famous Char Koay Teow”. If you’re expecting a plate of Koay Teow similar to the one you had in Kuala Lumpur, think again. Penang’s Char Koay Teow possesses a more distinct taste and is also more flavorful. There are a bunch of good Char Koay Teow spots on the island, but the famed Siam Road Char Koay Teow is undoubtedly one of the best in town. Years of experience has taken its toll on the hawker (simply known as uncle) that he recently considered hanging up his wok. However, the thought of leaving his craft behind was too painful to bear. Hence, he moved from selling his famous Char Koay Teow from his pushcart to a nearby Kopitiam. We wish nothing but good health for the Uncle at Siam road to continue making Penang a happier place, one plate of Koay Teow at a time.

Related: Bid Goodbye to Siam Road Char Koay Teow (Video) *Updated

Address: No. 82, Siam Road, George Town, Penang

4. Deen Maju Nasi Kandar @ Jalan Gurdwara

Next on our list is another must-try street food in George Town. Be prepared to queue as Deen Maju Nasi Kandar attracts large crowds. Rest assured, your time spent queuing will be repaid in full by one of Penang’s best Nasi Kandars. There are a bunch of dishes to choose from at Deen Maju such as chicken, prawns, fish, and beef. Not forgetting the wide range of flavorful curries that will surely add a spicy kick to your meal. This is one street food in George Town that you have to try.

5. Mee Goreng @ Bangkok Lane

Next up on our list is the famed Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng. This isn’t your typical Mee Goreng (Fried Noodles) which is usually served dry. Instead, it’s served wet and is described by some as a cross between the usual fried noodles and ‘Pasembur’ or Malaysian Salad. Hence, the Mee is soaked in an orange/reddish sauce commonly found in Pasemburs. This unique Mee Goreng may not be every Malaysian’s cup of tea but it sure is worth a try if you’re in George Town.

6. Ais Tingkap @ Lebuh Tamil

You’ve probably heard of Cendol and Ice Kacang before, but what about Ais Tingkap? (Window Sherbet). This unique thirst-quencher is only available in Penang. The beverage is made up of shaved ice, rose syrup, coconut flesh, coconut water, and topped with basil seeds, resulting in a wonderful concoction of flavors. In addition to this, one can also order famous Malaysian desserts such as Ice Kacang and Cendol at the stall.

7. Banana Leaf @ Veloo Villas

Little India is Penang’s modest take on the motherland itself. Here, one can find Indian restaurants offering some of the best banana leaf meals in town. Veloo Villas is arguably one of the better restaurants in the area offering delicious traditional Indian food. Veloo Villas’s chicken Varuval and fried chicken are two noteworthy dishes, so be sure to give those a try when you visit the restaurant. There are also a bunch of things to see and do at Little India making it a must-see place in George Town.

8. Wan Tan Mee @ Chulia Street

The Wan Tan Mee at Chulia Street is another must-try street food in George Town. The famed Wan Tan Mee operates from a pushcart and has been around for ages. To those of you who are unfamiliar with this traditional Chinese dish, it mainly consists of noodles served in dark soy sauce coupled with fried or boiled Wontons. This famed Wan Tan Mee usually attracts large crowds so be prepared to queue.

9. Laksa @ Penang Road

Last but certainly not the least is the famed Penang Road Famous Laksa. Your trip will not be complete unless you give this Laksa a try. Penang’s Laksa is commonly known to be different from Laksa’s found elsewhere in Malaysia due to its sour taste. Hence, tourists are usually on the hunt for the best Laksa spots whenever they visit Penang. If you’re one of them and wondering where you can find a good bowl of Laksa, you cannot go wrong with the one located at Penang Road.

So, there you have it, 9 must-try street food in George Town. Of course, this list isn’t the be-all and end-all as Penang has plenty more to offer. As always, if you think we missed out on a couple of your favorite street food in George Town, be sure to drop a comment below. Have a great week everyone!

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